Monthly Archives: January 2016

Have you ever come across one of those books that as soon as you get it you have to drop all others and read it? Suddenly Spellbound was one of those books for me, I absolutely loved the first book in The Ivie McKie Chronicles, Suddenly Sorceress. Ivie and her friends on their adventure was just so hilarious that I was still thinking about it and getting a bit of a laugh days, if not weeks later. Definitely one of my favorites last year so needless to say I was excited to get a copy of the second book to review.

I don’t want to say too much about the plot since this is the second book in the series but in Suddenly Spellbound we pick up with Ivie and her friends again shortly after their adventure in the first book. Ivie’s father is back in her life and has a scheme of his own pulling Ivie back into the world of magic much to Jack’s dismay.

Really, all I want to say here is run out and read this series!! Erica Lucke Dean has done it again with another fun adventure in magic but this time we go a little deeper and even have a few touching emotional moments mixed with the laughter. The book still kept the overall light hearted feel to the story though even with the direction the story line takes in the book keeping the reader still laughing all throughout.

Anything Ivie seems to do with magic still turns into one big outrageously comical adventure and I absolutely love spending time with all of the characters in this series so far and joining them on one mishap after another. My only complaint came at the end of the book when it ended on a cliffhanger, but then I ended up excited that it means I should get to enjoy another book in this series someday.

Like this:

After an incident in Summer Riley’s past she has pretty much shut herself off from everyone to hide her secret from her past. You see Summer is a witch but had something happen that closed her off from her family. She lives with her guard dog Piper as her company and runs her yoga studio but usually keeps to herself.

When Summer walks into the shooting range to sign up for a gun safety class she didn’t expect to meet a man that sparks actually fly when the two touch. Devlin Sawyer owns the gun range and is part werewolf, he can’t change but he still has all the senses and is immediately taken with Summer.

Another wonderful little Candy Hearts Romance, this time with a slight paranormal twist. These stories are lovely little tales of a couple meeting just before Valentine’s Day and falling in love. Summer having cut herself off from everyone seemed to just be meant to walk into Devlin’s life. Great read, would definitely recommend.

I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

In a dystopian world where humans are becoming extinct they are captured and held in camps to be harvested for food. Years before human scientists had created vampires, werewolves and also a race known as the Graced. The vampires and werewolves need the humans for food to survive and it’s been an all out war over control of what is left of the human race. The Graced are also in hiding as they are used for their powers and for breeding.

Quin who is a full Graced with incredible powers has hidden his two sisters who are half human in one of these camps. When vampires take control of the camp from the werewolves Quin seeks the help of Wolf, the alpha to rescue his sisters forming an alliance between himself and Wolf. Wolf’s plan is to get himself captured to get entry to be able to rescue the girls but what he didn’t count on was having an immediate attraction to Laney who he is there to rescue.

I have to say I was intrigued with this story and wasn’t disappointed in the least by the glimpse I was given into this world. What I found though was the usual novella dilemma that I felt I just wanted to know so much more of the story and characters. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing as it did gain my interest in continuing with other books into the series.

The majority of this story the characters are kept in captivity so I kind of felt that held a bit back from a I really love it moment to making it become an OK this is interesting read. In the end I decided on going with 3.5 stars for this as it was good and would like to continue and learn more.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Like this:

Simone and Matt Porter had the unthinkable happen to them eighteen years ago, their six month old baby girl, Helena, was kidnapped while Matt’s mother had taken her to the park. The young couple were then bonded together in their grief for the loss of their daughter and now years later a young woman approaches Simone claiming she just may be the missing Helena.

Simone is not sure what to think of Grace’s story, it’s so unbelievable that Simone is almost sure that this is another hoax preying on the grief of a mother’s love for her lost child. But Grace has a stuffed animal just like the one that once belonged to Helena so Simone listens to her and insists on a DNA test but while awaiting the results Grace herself turns up missing which has Simone jumping into investigating the disappearance and her story.

Kathryn Croft has done it again. I had loved The Girl With No Past when I read it so when I saw this title available I just had to read it and see if she could keep up the twists and turns and excitement. I was not disappointed at all.

The Girl You Lost a dark and twisted tale that gives you glimpses inside the mind of the evil behind the crimes all along the way. It is an intense ride uncovering not only the disappearance of a baby girl eighteen years prior but many other horrifying crimes along the way. This book is easily a complete page turning addiction that pulls you in and you don’t want to stop until you find out the entire story and how it will turn out.

I will say with this story I did guess at the overall ending but it didn’t take away from the ride to get there so I will stay with a five star rating for this. The story has such a complexity to it that there were still so many whys and hows to uncover along the way that I think any fan of a good psychological thriller will be completely caught up in the story.

Overall, another great read from Kathryn Croft, an author that I’d suggest any fan of psychological thrillers should give her books a read.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Like this:

Rose Lenox feels trapped on the ranch she grew up on with her seven other adopted sisters. She’s more of a tomboy than a lady and wants nothing more than to run her own cattle ranch someday. When her friend and neighbor Chance Goodman agrees that she doesn’t really belong there on her ranch Rose takes it that he means she should leave so she heads off on her own to town.

Chance has watched Rose grow up and has been in love with her for years. When he finds Rose has left he follows and finds her already in trouble in town. Chance immediately rescues Rose then take her to the sheriff to get the two of them married off so she will become his but will he be able to tame Rose’s wild ways?

Vanessa Vale really does erotica very well. There were sparks, there was steam and a whole lot of sexy action between Chance and Rose after their impromptu marriage. The historical aspect was also very pleasant to read and a bit more detail to the story than I actually expected with it jumping right into the erotic side.

However, I did often find myself wondering if the erotic and the historical quite meshed together well enough. I think each on their own would have been great but I would often forget that I was reading a historical tale when the sexual parts were taking place and somewhat vice versa.

Overall, I’d have to give this one 3.5 stars think most fans of erotica should enjoy this one.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Megan Connor has had a crush on her long time good friend Shane for years. She had tried to tell herself they would always only be friends and had even gotten engaged to someone else for a while. When that didn’t work out Megan’s life basically became work and home by herself until one night Shane shows up asking for a place to say. As soon as Shane moves in the secrets begin to pile up between the two leading Megan to question if she will ever know the truth.

For the most part I actually completely enjoyed The Broken Road. There was just a little something that I felt was missing while I was reading that I wasn’t quite putting my finger on for the most part. I think though when done it was probably just a matter of some things being left unsaid for a while that you later learn in the story.

I did think the author did a great job with adding so much detail to a somewhat short read. A great build up with Shane and Megan to give the relationship time to develop that may seem a little slow to some but then you’re in for a ton of suspense with some twists and turns along the way with an action packed ending. After the bit of a cliffhanger ending with this one I’d definitely pick up another in the series.

Overall, nice bad boy romance with action and suspense in the mix.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Like this:

Olivia is a con-artist, she and her current accomplice, Jillian, have set up a big score in Olivia’s old city of Orlando. Olivia needs to find some help for her current con so she visits her old flame Jack and enlists him and his brother to help. Olivia has completely scripted the entire con but of course anything that can go wrong certainly will.

Unfortunately Strike a Poser just wasn’t for me. The story has a lot of potential to really grab a reader but there just wasn’t enough depth to the story or characters for my taste. There’s not much of a background on anyone other Olivia and Jack dating fifteen years prior and when the con gets going it never really gets explained what the plan will be but you just get tossed into it happening. A part of it got a little confusing even following as it started switching back and forth between what was currently going on and the team setting up the con the day before.

Also, I’m one that doesn’t really care if a story has explicit language but only to a point. The characters in here and the f this, f that type and it got completely annoying even to me. To me, if you cuss every other word you’re just showing how unintelligent you are but maybe this would be why the lack of depth to the characters, there just wasn’t any to write about if their language is any indication.

Overall, not much depth to it, unfortunately I wouldn’t recommend this one.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

In the part one of of this story we are introduced to Ella Cruise who is an incredibly rich but incredibly lonely woman. Ella has a phobia that she just can’t stand to be touched, she hates crowds and has a problem trusting anyone.

One night Ella visits one of her only friends, Sasha, at the bar where she works at as a bartender. A sexy man catches Ella’s eye. Becoming completely intrigued with this new man, Ella begins to come into the bar more often just to catch a glimpse. When Sasha realizes Ella’s infatuation she quickly warns her away by telling her that Sean is actually a male prostitute and is only working at the bar as a cover to pick up clients.

Instead of being scared away from the sexy stranger Ella sees this as an opportunity. She decides that this is what she is looking for, someone who she doesn’t have to trust and be with if she doesn’t want to but that can try to give her the intimacy she craves.

Being a three part e-serial part one did exactly what it was meant to do, it got me completely hooked on Ella and Sean’s story. When finished with part one I immediately had to keep reading on with their story.

Ella was a complex character that I just wanted to know so much more about. She’s strong in her business world but ready to shatter at any moment in her personal world. In a way I’d say this reminds me of the Fifty Shades of Grey series but without the bondage and whips. Ella could be compared to Christian with her haunting background and lack of trust and intimacy.

I went into this read expecting a completely erotic read but what I found was that it had more depth and substance than I’d ever expected which I actually loved. The first section here didn’t even really touch on the sexual nature of the story as yet as it was more of an introduction to the story.

Overall, definitely recommend checking out this three part e-serial.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Part two of Thirty Nights with a Dirty Boy picks up exactly where the story left off in part one with Ella and Sean. The pair have agreed on the contract Ella had drawn up to pay Sean to spend thirty nights with her to see if she could break down her walls and find the intimacy that she craves. When Ella’s walls start to crumble she finds even more strength in her business life but also starts to find herself falling for the one man she shouldn’t.

As with part one I really just didn’t get enough of this duo and had to jump right into the third when I finished. I just absolutely love the depth to Ella and seeing her grow. Sean’s personality and background also start to come out a bit more in this installment which had me wanting to find out so much more about each of them.

This is also the section of the story where we start to see the steaminess develop between Ella and Sean. While Sean could make about anything seem incredibly hot he has such a tender side when bringing Ella out of her shell that is also sweet at times.

Still loving the story and definitely would recommend.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Part three is the conclusion to the Thirty Nights with a Dirty Boy e-serial, it picks up right after the ending of part two. Ella and Sean have had their business relationship hit a rocky patch after Ella had developed feelings for Sean.

I don’t want to say too much about the plot being the final installment of this series but finally we get all the details to Ella and Sean in the conclusion that I had so desperately been waiting on. Great characters and story between the pair. Definitely a great ending to a series that I never expected to have as much depth as it did.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Georgia has a secret that has been tearing her up inside. She wants to talk to her cousin and best friend Sophia but the girls have been drifting apart. After attending the same party the girls are walking home with another friend, Danny, when out of nowhere a car comes up behind them and the trio become the victims of a hit and run. Danny manages to pull Georgia out of the way but Sophia is seriously injured. Afterwards Danny seems to think that the accident may have been an attempt on Georgia’s life.

All That is Lost Between Us is a psychological thriller that focuses on a family of four and all of the problems and secrets between them. Georgia has withdrawn from her family after an affair over the previous summer. Zac, Georgia’s younger brother feels a bit isolated and doesn’t know what to do after his sister’s accident but ends up making things worse when he finds evidence of Georgia’s secrets. With two teenagers Anya and Callum have drifted apart in their marriage but with their daughter in danger the two struggle to come together for their family.

An intense story of secrets and lies and the struggles of one family when tragedy strikes. Each chapter switches the POV between the different family members and all involved have their own things they are dealing with to keep the reader hooked right from the start. A bit of a mystery with who it is that could be after Georgia thrown into the mix and you certainly a page turner on your hands with this read.

Overall, great writing, an intense plot with intriguing characters, would definitely recommend this thriller.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Working in his father’s sporting goods store Daniel Hudson never expected to come across a customer quite like Clover Scott. Clover has a hair cut that looks like she’s been attacked by a pair of scissors, clothes that don’t quite fit right and sometimes says the strangest things but Daniel is immediately drawn to her. After coming to Clover’s rescue twice Daniel finds himself wanting to help this girl that so obviously needs someone to do so.

The Secret of Letting Go is truly a touching tale of two teenagers that each have had tough times in their past to deal with that somehow end up in each other’s lives. The story changes POV a few times between the two to get to know each side a bit better.

I don’t even really know what to say about Clover, her life growing up was the things nightmares are made of. She is naive to the world because she’s never experienced anything that a normal teenager would. She is obviously a lot stronger than most would give her credit for though since she had made her way down to Florida and had been taking care of herself for a while. A character that will make every day problems seem a lot less significant in the scheme of things.

Daniel was a kind, caring and compassionate soul that was made that way because of his past. A few years before his girlfriend had passed away which made him grow up in ways that he wouldn’t have otherwise. Even though he has had a much easier life than Clover he still feels things a bit deeper than normal teenagers due to his past.

There are also quite a few of other great characters involved, a small town feel to the story when people open up their homes and lives to welcome Clover in and help her when she needs it. With a bit of suspense involved with the touching tale it made for a real page turning read that should touch your heart. Would definitely recommend.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.